Tài liệu BRITISH COLUMBIA STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS OCTOBER 2011 EDITION pdf

2011
Starting a
Small Business
Ministry of
Jobs, Tourism
and Innovation
Starting a Small Business | 2011
Starting a Small Business | 2011
BRITISH COLUMBIA
STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS
OCTOBER 2011 EDITION
Starting a Small Business | 2011
INTERNET ACCESS
Many of the resources listed in this guide are web-based only. If you do not
have your own Internet connection, try your local library or Community Futures
Development Corporation (call 604 685-2332 to fi nd the location nearest you)
for free Internet access.
THIS GUIDE IS ALSO AVAILABLE
ELECTRONICALLY AT:
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/Start_SmlBusiness.pdf
Small Business BC
www.smallbusinessbc.ca/products-and-services/free-resources
OneStop Business Registry
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/startingabusiness.htm
Starting a Small Business | 2011
CONTENTS
THIS GUIDE 1
YOUR TWO PRIMARY RESOURCES 2
14 STEPS TO STARTING YOUR OWN
SMALL BUSINESS 5

1. MAKE SURE RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU 5
2. DECIDE ON A BUSINESS STRUCTURE 5
3. DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN 6
4. SECURE YOUR FINANCING 6
5. CHOOSE A BUSINESS NAME AND HAVE IT APPROVED 7
6. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS 8
7. APPLY FOR A DOMAIN NAME 9
8. REGISTER FOR MRDT 9
9. REGISTER FOR THE HST 9
10. COMPLETE OTHER REGISTRATIONS 10
11. INVESTIGATE ADDITIONAL BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 12
12. IDENTIFY PERMIT AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS – BIZPAL 14
13. INTEGRATE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES 15
14. CHECK OUT OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES 15
ABORIGINAL ENTREPRENEURS 16
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS 16
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 17
GENERAL INFORMATION 17
Starting a Small Business | 2011
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 1
THIS GUIDE
The strength of small business continues to drive the economy in British
Columbia.
A remarkable 98 per cent of all businesses in British Columbia (B.C.) are small
businesses (those having fewer than 50 employees or self-employed workers),
providing employment for over 1 million people. That works out to nearly 57%
of all private sector jobs within the province.
Currently there are over 391,700 small businesses operating in B.C. They
range from agriculture to technology, hospitality to tourism, construction to
manufacturing, and education to mining and resource management.

This publication has been developed as an introductory guide to help you with
planning, implementing, and developing a small business. It provides essential
information you need to know as well as links to additional resources to help
ensure that your new business is successful.
This year, the Small Business Roundtable website, www.
smallbusinessroundtable.ca was refreshed in keeping with a more user-friendly
environment and with small business convenience as a key objective.
Further resources can also be located through the “Business and Investing” tab
of the new website for the Province of B.C. located at: www.gov.bc.ca
page 2 Starting a Small Business | 2011
YOUR TWO PRIMARY RESOURCES
Many helpful resources appear throughout this guide. The two that provide
essential services and information for B.C. entrepreneurs are
Small Business BC

and the
OneStop Business Registry
.
Small Business BC
www.smallbusinessbc.ca
82–601 West Cordova Street
Vancouver B.C. V6B 1G1
Tel: 604 775-5525 or 1 800 667-2272
Fax: 604 775-5520
E-mail:
Small Business BC provides advisory services, education and a community to
help entrepreneurs succeed in all stages of business. Supported by the Ministry
of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation and Western Economic Diversifi cation, Small
Business BC provides small business owners with the following services at
aff ordable rates:

> General Business Information Advisory Service: Complimentary
consultation with a Business Service Offi cer to help answer your business
inquiries (no fee).
> Business Plan Review Service: Business plan review to help you by
objectively assessing your plan and providing feedback and resources in
preparation for presentation and/or implementation.
> Business Advisory Service: Advisory service to assist you with
developing a strategy to start up or grow your business.
> E-Business Advisory Service: Advisory service to assist you with
establishing an online business.
> Market Research Advisory Service: Advisory service to assist you with
conducting your market research using our in-house library and online
data sources.
> Trade Advisory Service: Advisory service to assist you with importing,
becoming export ready, and expanding into new international markets.
> Business Seminars: Information-packed business seminars, delivered
by industry experts, to help you build the knowledge and skills necessary
in any stage of business. These workshops and seminars are available
through video conference to over 50 regional communities across B.C.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 3
> Business Research Library: A resource of business and market
data information, with a library of hundreds of business publications,
periodicals, licensed databases and more.
> Business Bookstore: Off ering the most popular how-to publications on
almost any area of business.
> Packages: Bundles of seminars, books and advisory services tailored to
meet your business needs at diff erent stages.
OneStop Business Registry
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca
Tel: 250 370-0332

Help Desk: 1 877 822-6727
E-mail:
The OneStop Business Registry allows new and existing businesses to complete
the most commonly-required business registrations and transactions online,
quickly and easily. Through OneStop (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
you can:
> Register a sole proprietorship or general partnership in the Province of
British Columbia;
> Register with WorkSafeBC as an employer or apply for Personal Optional
Protection coverage.
> Register for the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), payroll deductions,
corporate income tax and import/export accounts.
> Apply for business licences with participating local governments /
First Nations.
> Apply for a business BCeID. This is an online service that makes it possible
for you to use one login ID and password to sign in securely to any BCeID
participating provincial government website.
> Apply for a restaurant (food-primary) liquor licence.
> Apply for a transfer of ownership of a restaurant (food-primary) liquor
licence from one owner to another.
> Renew an existing liquor licence, or view the status of any changes you
have requested to your liquor licence.
page 4 Starting a Small Business | 2011
In addition:
> You can get your Business Number (BN) through OneStop. This is a
unique nine-digit “root” number assigned to your business that travels
with you no matter what government agency you are working with –
making it simpler and easier for you to do business with us.
ONESTOP ACCESS
If you would like to use OneStop services but do not have your own

computer, try one of the more than 100 OneStop locations across the
province, where public access terminals are available along with staff to
help if you need it.
To fi nd the nearest location, call the OneStop Help Desk at
1 877 822-6727 Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacifi c Time
(8 a.m. to 8 p.m. mountain time) except statutory holidays.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 5
14 STEPS TO STARTING YOUR
OWN SMALL BUSINESS
The following are the basic steps most new small businesses need to take
before they can begin operating in B.C.
1. MAKE SURE RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS IS
RIGHT FOR YOU
It takes time, commitment, a good idea, the right personality and at least a few
basic business skills to start and run a small business successfully.
The Small Business BC website provides a series of commonly-asked questions
to help you evaluate and test your idea for a new small business, and a
document called
Business Development Concepts
packed with information
about fi nding or generating new business opportunities.
2. DECIDE ON A BUSINESS STRUCTURE
Most small businesses are operated as one of the following:
> Sole proprietorship, where you are the only employee (i.e. you are
self-employed).
> General partnership, where you join with one or more partner.
> Corporation (also known as a limited company).
Small Business BC discusses the pros and cons of each business type at:
www.smallbusinessbc.ca/bizstart-prop.php
You can also fi nd more information about the diff erent business structures

through BC Registry Services (Ministry of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open
Government).
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca
Information on other business structures, such as societies and cooperatives is
also available at this site.
Corporations Canada (part of Industry Canada) also provides extensive
information on corporations, including the benefi ts of federal incorporation if
you want to expand your business to other provinces. Visit:
www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incd-dgc.nsf/en/Home
page 6 Starting a Small Business | 2011
3. DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN
A business plan is a written document that details what your business will do and
how it will operate, and establishes your business goals. Financial institutions may
review your business plan and make lending decisions based on the information
you provide. It also helps you make sure – even if you do not need outside
money – that you really are ready to launch your new business.
You can also send a copy of your business plan to Small Business BC and
then make an appointment with a member from the Business Plan Team. The
Business Plan Team will objectively assess your plan and give you feedback
on it. Small Business BC agrees to maintain the information submitted in
confi dence and will not distribute/communicate information in the business
plan without fi rst obtaining your express written consent. Go to:
www.smallbusinessbc.ca/bizResources-planReview.php
4. SECURE YOUR FINANCING
For your new small business to succeed, you need to have enough money to
cover business start-up costs and daily operating expenses. If you don’t have
enough money for start-up through family, friends, loans or lines of credit, you
may need to consider outside sources of fi nancing.
For information about government, private and venture capital sources of
fi nancing, go to:

> Small Business BC at:
www.smallbusinessbc.ca/bizstart-fi nancing.php or
> Industry Canada’s Strategis website at:
www.strategis.gc.ca and click on “Resources for Businesses” on the left.
ASK FOR ADVICE
If you are not sure which business structure will be best for your business,
we recommend you talk to a lawyer and an accountant to fi nd out what
each type requires, both legally and fi nancially.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 7
In addition:
> If you live in rural B.C., you might also want to visit your local Community
Futures Development Corporation of British Columbia (CFDC). To fi nd the
CFDC nearest you, call 604 685-2332 or visit:
www.communityfutures.ca/contact.php
> The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation off ers programs to help
small businesses gain access to investment capital, from those just
starting out to those wanting extra capital to compete in global markets.
For more information call 1 800 665-6597 or visit:
www.equitycapital.gov.bc.ca
And don’t forget to talk to your bank or credit union. They can provide you with
information on products and services designed to help your business operate
eff ectively. Information on fi nancial services for small business is available from:
> Canadian Bankers Association at www.cba.ca or call 1 800 263-0231.
> Central 1 Credit Union at www.central1.com or call 1 800 661-6813.
5. CHOOSE A BUSINESS NAME AND HAVE
IT APPROVED
If you want to use a business name that is anything other than your personal
name, you will need to have your business name approved by, and then
registered with, BC Registry Services, part of the provincial Ministry of Labour,
Citizens’ Services and Open Government.

Business names must have both a distinctive and a descriptive element, like
“ABC” (distinctive element) “Manufacturing” (descriptive element). You must add
a corporate designation, such as “Ltd.” if you are planning to incorporate your
business.
It is a good idea to have a fi rst, second and third choice for your business name,
just in case the name you want is not available. You can do some preliminary
research for potential confl icts by looking through telephone listings, business
directories or similar publications.
You can download the
Name Approval Request
form (the form also includes
guidelines for choosing a name) at:
www.bcregistryservices.gov.bc.ca/bcreg/corppg/forms.page
page 8 Starting a Small Business | 2011
The form is also available and can be processed at most OneStop locations. To
fi nd the OneStop location nearest you, call 1 877 822-6727 or visit:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/sites.htm
You can also apply for a name approval request at Name Requests Online
(NRO) at:
www.bcregistrynames.gov.bc.ca/nro
Submit your
Name Approval Request
electronically to the Name Reservation
Unit for examination at the Corporate Registry. Payment online is by credit card
(Visa, MasterCard and American Express). There is online information available
to assist you through the process.
Once your business name is approved, it will be reserved for 56 calendar days.
Within these 56 days, you must register your business with BC Registry Services
of the Provincial Government of British Columbia.
6. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS

If your business is a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you can register
it quickly and easily with the Province of British Columbia online using the
OneStop Business Registration Service at:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/registrations.htm
You will need a Visa, MasterCard or American Express to complete and pay for
this transaction online.
Over-the-counter payments to register (using cash, debit card or cheque) are
accepted at OneStop locations such as Service BC Centres. Call 1 877 822-6727
to fi nd the location nearest you.
PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS NAME
The names of sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not
protected by law, which means someone else could decide to use the
same name. Only incorporated businesses have that protection.
If protecting your business name is important to you, you may want to
incorporate your business.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 9
If you decide you want to incorporate, you must fi le an Incorporation
Application with BC Registry Services.
> See the registry’s website for detailed information on the application
process at:
www.bcregistryservices.gov.bc.ca
> Apply online using Corporate Online, www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca
(pick “File an Incorporation Application” on the home page).
For information about applying for federal incorporation, visit Corporations
Canada at:
www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/Home
7. APPLY FOR A DOMAIN NAME
You may want to use the Internet to sell or market your goods or services. If
you do, you will need a domain name (a name that will identify your Internet
website). You can research whether the domain name you want is available,

and buy the rights to that name.
8. REGISTER FOR MRDT
If you operate a hotel, motel or other lodging in certain areas of the province,
you may be required to charge a municipal and regional district tax (MRDT) on
the purchase price of accommodation. This means you may need to register
with the Ministry of Finance. To fi nd out more about municipal and regional
district tax, go to the ministry website at:
www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/Consumer_Taxes/Municipal_Regional_
Tax/municipal_regional_tax.htm
9. REGISTER FOR THE HST
To register online with the Canada Revenue Agency, go to the OneStop
Business Registry at www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/registrations.htm
10. COMPLETE OTHER REGISTRATIONS
You may also need to complete other provincial, federal or local government
registrations. The registrations listed below can be completed through the
OneStop Business Registry, www.bcbusinessregistry.ca. For example:
> If you plan to hire employees – or have established your new business
as a corporation – you will need to register with WorkSafeBC and
page 10 Starting a Small Business | 2011
pay WorkSafeBC insurance premiums. This will ensure you and your
workers are covered in case of work-related injury or disease. If you are
self-employed, you may also want to apply for WorkSafeBC’s Personal
Optional Protection. To fi nd out more, visit WorkSafeBC’s website at
www.worksafebc.com
Small
Business Primer: A Guide to WorkSafeBC
at:
www.worksafebc.com/publications/how_to_work_with_the_
wcb/Assets/PDF/Primer.pdf
> If you are hiring employees and you are paying salary, wages, bonuses,

vacation pay or tips to your employees – or providing a benefi t to your
employees such as board and lodging – you will need to register with
the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a payroll deductions account.
This account will enable you to make the required Income Tax, Canada
Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) payments. For more
about payroll deduction accounts, call 1 800 959-5525 or go to the CRA’s
website at:
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/pyrll/menu-eng.html
> If your business is incorporated, or you are a non-resident corporation
operating in Canada, you will need to register for a Corporate Income Tax
account with the Canada Revenue Agency.
> If you are going to import or export goods, you will need to register
with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). You can register your
business with the CBSA through the OneStop Business Registry. For more
information about importing and exporting, go to the CBSA’s site at:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
Select (Commercial Sector) from the left side of the page.
> If you have a restaurant and the service of food, as opposed to liquor, is
the primary focus of your business, you can apply for the Restaurant
(Food-Primary) Liquor Licence through the OneStop Business Registry at:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/lclb/htm
For more information about a Restaurant (Food-Primary) Liquor Licence,
go to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch’s website at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/lclb/apply/index.htm
> If you need to change your business address through the OneStop
Business Address Change Service, or plan to access other government
e-services regularly, you will need a business BCeID. You can apply
for a business BCeID through the OneStop Business Registry. A BCeID
. You might also want to download
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 11

is an online service that makes it possible for you to use one login ID
and password to sign in securely to any BCeID participating provincial
government website. For a complete list of government e-services that
use BCeID, visit the Online Service Directory at:
www.bceid.ca/directories/bluepages
In addition, your business may require a local government business licence to
operate. Please check with your local government or First Nation to fi nd out
about licence and zoning requirements in your area. If you do need to register
for a business licence, you may be able to do so through the OneStop Business
Registry.
Visit: www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/localgovernment.htm for a list of
participating local governments and First Nations.
You can also access BizPaL, a convenient web-based service that allows
business clients to easily generate a customized list of the permits and licences
needed from all levels of government by answering some simple questions
about their business. For more information about BizPaL, please refer to step 12
of this guide.
NOT MADE UP YOUR MIND ABOUT
IMPORT/EXPORTS YET?
Check out our Import/Export Guide.
This Guide introduces you to the places and people who can help you
decide whether import/export is right for you, and how you can best set
up your business to enter the exciting world of international trade. It’s
available through the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation at:
www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/ImpExptGuideEng.pdf
page 12 Starting a Small Business | 2011
11. INVESTIGATE ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
REGISTRATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
There may be some additional registrations or requirements you must consider
before you open your small business. For example:

Employment Standards Branch
Ministry of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government
www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb
Toll Free: (ENQUIRY BC) 1 800 663-7867 (outside Greater Vancouver/Greater Victoria)
Tel: 250 387-6121 (Greater Victoria)
Tel: 604 660-2421 (Greater Vancouver)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Small Business BC off ers a handy checklist to help you determine exactly
which registrations you need to complete.
Go to: www.smallbusinessbc.ca/bizstart-checklist.php
The Canada Revenue Agency also publishes the Guide for Canadian
Small Businesses which explains federal requirements for the HST, payroll
deductions, importing/exporting and corporate income tax.
Go to: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4070/README.html or call
1 800 959-5525.
OTHER LAWS
To fi nd out whether there are any other provincial or federal government
industry regulations that apply to your particular business, call Small
Business BC at 1 800 667-2272 or visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca
and click on the search button. From there, select provincial or federal
regulations and choose your business type.
You can fi nd copies of all B.C. laws at:
www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg
You can buy them through Crown Publications at 250 387-2432. You can
also sign up (for a fee) for QP Legaleze, a searchable database of current
provincial laws and laws that are under development (they have not yet
been passed by the legislature).
For more information, visit: www.qplegaleze.ca
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 13
The Employment Standards Act and Employment Standards Regulation apply

to most workplaces in British Columbia and cover such important issues as
required wage rates, vacations and overtime rules. If you are planning to hire
employees, you should be familiar with this information.
Industry Training Authority
www.itabc.ca
Tel: 1 866 660-6011
E-mail:
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is a provincial government agency
responsible for governing and developing the industry training system in
British Columbia. If you are planning to hire apprentices to work in your new
business, you will need to be registered with the ITA.
Canada Revenue Agency
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
English 1 800 959-5525 or www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
French 1 800 959-7775 or www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-f.html
If your business is either a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you
must report your share of gross and net profi ts (or losses) on your individual
tax return (T1). If your business is an incorporated company, you must fi le a
corporation tax return (T2) within six months after the end of the corporation’s
fi scal period.
Canadian Company Capabilities Database
/>Tel: 1 800 328-6189
If you plan to:
> manufacture goods;
> export goods to another country; or
> sell products or services to other companies or organizations
you may consider joining Industry Canada’s Canadian Company Capabilities
Database to ensure buyers in Canada and around the world know about your
products and services. Over 500,000 domestic and international companies
browse the database every month looking for Canadian businesses. Register

your business with the database through the OneStop Business Registry at:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/registrations.htm
page 14 Starting a Small Business | 2011
Canadian Intellectual Property Offi ce
www.cipo.gc.ca
Tel: 1 866 997-1936
Patents, copyrights and trademarks are all ways by which businesses protect
their intellectual property, including business ideas and inventions, designs,
symbols and products. Industry Canada’s Canadian Intellectual Property Offi ce
off ers a series of guides that explain how to register your business’ patents,
copyrights and trademarks.
12. IDENTIFY PERMIT AND LICENCING
REQUIREMENTS  BIZPAL
www.bcbizpal.ca
BizPaL is a free, online tool to streamline your business permit and licensing
experience. The step-by-step process generates a customized list of permits
and licenses you may need from all level of government in order to operate or
open a business.
By using BizPaL, entrepreneurs minimize the time spent searching for permits
and licences from about seven hours to 20 minutes. BizPaL reduces red tape
and makes your interactions with all levels of government more simple and
straight forward.
BUSINESS RECORDS
Whether you are hiring employees or working on your own, you are
required by law to keep complete records of your new business’ income
and expenses. The Canada Revenue Agency’s website provides a list of
all business records you must keep. Visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca and enter
“records retention” in the search box.
We also recommend you contact a qualifi ed accountant to help you set
up and maintain proper business records and accounts. It is also a good

idea to talk to a lawyer for advice about any legal issues that may aff ect
your small business.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 15
13. INTEGRATE SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS PRACTICES
Ensuring your business operates in the most environmentally-sustainable
manner is not only good for the environment, but also reduces costs,
increases effi ciency, and helps your company develop a strong reputation in
the community. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can also create future
business opportunities such as providing cleaner energy sources, more effi cient
products, and other alternative technologies.
Many actions that companies can take to reduce emissions are common
to most organizations and are cost-eff ective – especially if integrated at
the start-up phase of business development. Examples include increasing
energy effi ciency by making smart equipment choices, diversifying energy
consumption with renewable energy, and adopting minimal packaging
standards. By integrating sustainable practices into your business plan from the
beginning, you can ensure your business operates in the most effi cient and
environmentally-friendly manner possible.
To learn more about the Government of British Columbia’s plan to reduce
energy consumption and increase effi ciency, see:
www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca
14. CHECK OUT OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
In addition to Small Business BC (see page 2) and the OneStop Business
Registry (see page 3), there are a number of places where small business
owners can look for new business opportunities, practical advice and helpful
services.
page 16 Starting a Small Business | 2011
ABORIGINAL ENTREPRENEURS
Aboriginal Business Service Network

www.absn.ca
Tel: 1 888 576-4444 (Small Business BC)
TTY(Teletypewriter): 1 800 457-8466
Hosted by the Government of Canada, the Aboriginal Business Service Network
website brings together information, resources and services specifi cally
intended to help Aboriginal entrepreneurs improve their access to capital
and establish or develop their businesses. In the Aboriginal Business Service
Network you can fi nd information about starting and fi nancing a business,
developing a business plan and many other topics – all from an Aboriginal
perspective.
Aboriginal Business Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (BEST)
Program
www.smallbusinessconsultant.ca/best/
Toll Free: (ENQUIRY BC) 1 800 663-7867 (Outside Greater Vancouver/Greater Victoria)
Tel: 250 387-6121 (Greater Victoria)
Tel: 604 660-2421 (Greater Vancouver)
E-mail:
Aboriginal BEST is a 12-session training series – off ered by the Ministry of
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Service Canada – that provides
young B.C. Aboriginal entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 35, with the tools they need
to start their own business. Through this program, you can conduct market
research, write a business plan and explore fi nancing options.
First Citizens Fund
www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fcf/default.html
Tel: (ENQUIRY BC) 1 800 663-7867
E-mail:
The provincial Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation operates the First
Citizens Fund to expand cultural, educational and economic opportunities for
Aboriginal people in B.C. One of the fund’s primary goals is to help Aboriginal
people and organizations start and expand businesses through business loans

and business advisory services.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 17
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
www.cybf.ca
Tel: 1 800 464-2923
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity that
helps Canadians, aged 18 to 34, create their own successful businesses. CYBF
provides online business resources and loans of up to $15,000 and in co-
operation with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) up to $45,000
to provide the foundation for new business start-ups. Each young entrepreneur
is also matched with a volunteer mentor for a minimum of two years during
the critical start-up period.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Women’s Enterprise Centre
www.womensenterprise.ca
Tel: 1 800 643-7014
E-mail:
Established by Western Economic Diversifi cation Canada in 1995, the Women’s
Enterprise Centre is committed to establishing and expanding women-owned
and controlled businesses in this province. The centre has grown to become the
leading business resource centre in our province for women starting, purchasing
or growing a small business. The society also off ers skills training for women in
such topics as marketing, fi nancial management and strategic thinking.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Canada’s Pacifi c Gateway
www.th.gov.bc.ca/Pacifi cGateway/index.htm
Government and industry partners have come together to fulfi ll the long-term
vision of British Columbia as the preferred gateway for Asia Pacifi c trade, with
the most competitive supply chain on the west coast of the Americas.

Today, Canada’s Pacifi c Gateway is a world-class transportation network. Its
integrated, seamless supply chain includes airports, seaports, railways, roadways
and border crossings, connecting Canada and the North American market to
Asia and the world.
Major public-private investments will increase capacity, eliminate congestion,
and streamline operations. Projects to expand and enhance port, rail, road and
airport infrastructure currently planned or underway total more than $22 billion.
page 18 Starting a Small Business | 2011
Community Futures Development Corporation
www.communityfutures.ca/bc/index.html
Tel: 604 685-2332
E-mail:
There are 34 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC)
throughout rural B.C. They work in partnership with Western Economic
Diversifi cation Canada to off er entrepreneurial programs, business counselling,
loan programs and business information to local community members
interested in starting or expanding their own businesses.
For more information, visit:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/sites.htm
FrontCounter BC
www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca
Tel: 1 877 855-3222
E-mail:
FrontCounter BC off ers a citizen-centered approach aimed at providing clients
with one source of information for all licences, permits and registrations needed
to conduct business on crown land in any part of the province. Clients may access
FrontCounter BC services by telephone, Internet, e-mail or face-to-face with staff
specifi cally trained and knowledgeable in authorizations and permits required for
such sectors as energy, mining, forestry, agriculture, transportation, environment,
commercial recreation, etc. FrontCounter BC services include guiding clients

through required authorizations; helping clients complete application packages;
interpreting land information, maps and management plans; following up and
tracking the status of applications fi led; liaising between ministries, agencies and
governments; and free Internet access to services such as Base Maps Online Store,
BCeID, Integrated Land Resource Registry and Mineral Titles On-Line.
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/sites.htm
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
www.gov.bc.ca/jti
E-mail:
The ministry’s website has information about programs and services relating
to small business, and off ers support to small business regarding start–up and
growth. The ministry’s primary service delivery agent is Small Business BC.
Starting a Small Business | 2011 page 19
Service BC
www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca
Toll Free: (ENQUIRY BC) 1 800 663-7867 (outside Greater Vancouver/Greater Victoria)
Tel: 250 387-6121 (Greater Victoria)
Tel: 604 660-2421 (Greater Vancouver)
Call Enquiry BC to fi nd the Service BC Centre nearest you. Service BC Centres,
located in 60 communities across B.C., provide a single window to provincial
government information, services and applications. Service BC Centre staff
can answer your questions about government regulations and help you with
small business information and registrations. They can also help you with the
Community Access Terminals (CATS), located in each offi ce, which allow you
to access government information and fi le applications over the Internet. All
Service BC Centres offi ces are also OneStop Business Registry locations. For more
information, visit:
www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/sites.htm
Small Business BC
www.smallbusinessbc.ca

Tel: 1 800 667-2272
E-mail:
Small Business BC, a public and private sector collaboration, is the
comprehensive business development resource for people exploring
opportunities, launching new ventures and growing existing businesses. By
involving the business community directly in its operations, Small Business
BC enables the development of private sector partnerships to complement
and expand future services. It is the key resource centre for small business
information and services in the province, including business registrations,
seminars, planning and advisory services.
Western Economic Diversifi cation Canada
www.wd.gc.ca
Tel: 604 666-6256 or 1 888 338-9378
E-mail:
Western Economic Diversifi cation Canada’s (WD) mandate is to promote the
development and diversifi cation of the economy of Western Canada and advance
the interests of the West in national economic policy. WD supports the Western
Canada Business Service Network, which includes the Community Futures
Development Corporations, Aboriginal Business Services Network Society of B.C.
(ASBN), the Women’s Enterprise Centre of British Columbia and Small Business BC.